Frameless bullet trap

ABSTRACT

A slat arrangement for redirecting the trajectory of a bullet has a plurality of elongated steel slats, and each elongated steel slat has a longitudinal front edge and a longitudinal back edge stretching between a first end and a second end. The steel slats are positioned in a louver-like fashion for changing the direction of a bullet following a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangement. A support structure is connected to each steel slat at the back edge of the steel slat, between the first end and the second end of the steel slat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/082,668, filed Sep. 6, 2018, which is a National Phase,under 35 U.S.C. § 371 (c), of International Application No.PCT/EP2017/055433, filed Mar. 8, 2017, which claims priority fromSwedish Application No. SE 1650319-5, filed Mar. 9, 2016. Thedisclosures of all of the referenced applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of bullet traps forshooting ranges, and in particular to bullet traps for indoor shootingranges. Further, the present invention relates specifically to slatarrangements having steel slats positioned in a louver-like fashion forchanging the direction of bullets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are bullet traps for shooting ranges that have inclined steelslats, or plates, that change the trajectory of bullets to have asignificant downward component. The plates are positioned in parallel toform a grille or louver-like arrangement. Both ends of each platetypically engage a frame holding the plate in place. The frame can beconstituted by the thin walls of a cabinet, or a pair of mounting poles.These kinds of bullet traps are typically installed indoors where floorarea is limited, since they are comparatively compact.

A frame of a bullet trap presents an area to a shooter that can cause abullet to ricochet. This may cause damage to surrounding equipment, oreven present a hazard to the shooter. This is particularly an issue ifrifle ammunition, or other high velocity ammunition, is used. Inaddition, high velocity bullets may cause significant wear on the steelslats, as compared to pistol ammunition, thus requiring maintenance andreplacement of the steel plates.

In the above described bullet traps, the bullets, or fragments of thebullets, typically end up below the steel plates. The scrap material maybuild up quickly and may require frequent maintenance for removal of thematerial. This is typically done by hand, and sometimes by some kind ofsuction equipment. The limited space for indoor installations typicallymeans that the bullet trap is not accessible from the back, and thatother equipment is positioned in front of the bullet trap, such asshooting targets or rubber blankets or mats for preventing bulletfragments from leaving the bullet trap.

Vibrations are caused when bullets hit the steel slats and other steelcomponents of the above described bullet traps. If installed indoors,the vibrations are easily transferred via floors and walls to otherparts of the building. Noise is thus generated in the building when thebullet traps are used.

Bullet traps of the above described type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,749,177, DE 202004005719, and WO 2009/035401.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at obviating the aforementioned disadvantagesand failings of previously known bullet traps, and at enabling animproved bullet trap. An object of the present invention is to reducethe risk of ricochets. A further object of the invention is to improvethe resistance to high-velocity bullets. Another object is also to makethe bullet trap more resilient to rifle bullets, and also suitable forindoor use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention a slat arrangementfor changing the direction of a bullet is provided. The slat arrangementcomprises: a plurality of elongated steel slats, wherein each elongatedsteel slat has a longitudinal front edge and a longitudinal back edgestretching between a first end and a second end. It further comprises: asupport structure for supporting the plurality of steel slats.

The steel slats are positioned in a louver-like fashion for changing thedirection of a bullet following a trajectory along the normal of theslat arrangement. The positioning may also have the function that itprevents a bullet fired along the normal of the slat arrangement to passthrough the slat arrangement without hitting a steel slat.

The support structure may be connected to each steel slat at the backedge of the steel slat and between the first end and the second end ofthe steel slat. Between the first end and the second end is hereunderstood to not include the first end and the second end, or that thesupport structure is connected to each steel slat at a point distantfrom the first end and the second end. This has the effect that the riskof hitting the support structure is reduced, since it connected to theback edges. Further, no frame is required for supporting the steelslats, which in turn means that the risk of ricochets is reduced.

A slat is here understood to have a unitary or uncombined body. It maybe formed from or constitute a single piece of sheet metal. For example,this may be achieved by cutting the slat from a larger piece of sheetmetal.

The front edges of the steel slats may be parallel and/or define acommon plane. Further, the normal of the slat arrangement may correspondto the normal of the common plane. Alternatively or additionally, thenormal of the slat arrangement may correspond to the normal of the frontof the slat arrangement. The normal of the slat arrangement isunderstood to encompass or correspond to the trajectory, or direction,of a bullet fired straight at the front of the slat arrangement.

That the steel slats are positioned in a louver-like fashion isunderstood to encompass the steel slats being parallel and slanted withrespect to the normal of the slat arrangement. Alternatively oradditionally, it is understood to encompass the separation between thefront edges corresponding to, or being equal to, the separation betweenthe back edges of neighboring steel slats.

The slat arrangement may be oriented for directing a bullet having ahorizontal direction in a downward direction or in a direction having adownward component.

The steel slats may extend from the support structure for allowing abullet having a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangement topass between the front edges of a pair of neighboring steel slats priorto reaching or passing the support structure. This has the effect thatthe risk of ricochets against the support structure is reduced, and thatthe surroundings to some extent are shielded from ricochets by the steelslats.

The support structure may comprise: an elongated flat steel bar havingan elongated flat first side surface and an elongated flat second sidesurface, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface areparallel and the flat steel bar is positioned with the first sidesurface and the second side surface parallel to the normal of the slatarrangement. This has the effect that the area facing a shooter isreduced, thus reducing the risk of ricochets. The steel bar may connectto each steel slat at the back edge of the steel slat. This has theeffect that the steel bar, at least to some extent, is shielded from adirect hit by a bullet, thereby reducing the risk of ricochets.

The steel bar may be formed from or constitute a single piece of flatsheet metal. The steel bar may have a first front edge and may comprisea plurality of cut-outs from the first side surface to the second sidesurface. This is understood to encompass each cut-out reaching from thefirst side surface to the second side surface. Each cut-out has anopening at, or in, the first front edge, and encloses a portion of asteel slat located at the back edge of the steel slat. This has theeffect that the connections between the slats and the support structuredo not contribute to an increased area facing a shooter, therebyreducing the risk of ricochets.

Each cut-out may be formed with a leaf-spring biasing the portion of thesteel slat that is enclosed by the cut-out for maintain the position ofthe steel slat with respect to the steel bar. This is understood toencompass each cut-out forming the leaf-spring from a portion of thesteel bar, wherein the leaf-spring biases the portion of the steel slatthat is enclosed by the cut-out. Bullets cause vibrations in the slatsthat can weaken weld seams or loosen bolts, which is particularly thecase for high-velocity bullets. The leaf-spring is formed from the steelbar as such, which means that the slats can be supported without weldseams and bolts, thus increasing the resistance to high-velocitybullets.

The support structure may have or be constituted by a first elongatedflat steel bar and a second elongated flat steel bar, each having one ormore features of the elongated steel bar described above. By limitingthe number of flat steel bars to two, stricter tolerances between thesteel bars and the steel slats can be used, which enables a tighterfitting of the steel slats and thereby a more durable slat arrangement.

Each steel slat of the slat arrangement may have a bent, curved, orfolded transverse cross-section. This allows for a greater angle ofincidence of a bullet. For example, such an arrangement can be suitablefor standing, kneeling, and recumbent shooting.

Each steel slat may have an elongated first flat portion located at itsfront edge and stretching between its first end and its second end, andwherein the first flat portion is slanted with respect to the normal ofthe slat arrangement for changing the direction of a bullet hitting thefirst flat portion. Here, the first flat portion may define a normal ata first angle relative to the normal of the slat arrangement.

Each steel slat may further have an elongated second flat portionlocated at its back edge and stretching between its first end and itssecond end, and wherein the second flat portion is slanted with respectto the first flat portion for changing the direction of the bullet, orbullet fragments subsequent to the bullet hitting or passing the firstflat portion. The second flat portion may define a normal at a secondangle relative to the normal of the first flat portion. The first flatportion and the second flat portion may be connected along a fold of theslat. The second flat portion also has the effect of preventingricochets or bullet fragments from going back through the slatarrangement.

The steel bar may connect to the second flat portion of each steel slat.This has the effect that the steel bar, at least to some extent, isshielded by the first flat portion, thereby reducing the risk ofricochets.

The slat arrangement may further comprise: a first steel plate forchanging the direction of the bullet or bullet fragments subsequent tothe bullet hitting a steel slat. The first steel plate may be positionedbehind the steel slat or the slat arrangement. The first steel plate maybe transverse to the normal of the slat arrangement. Alternatively oradditionally, the first steel plate may define a normal parallel to oraligned with the normal of the slat arrangement.

The elongated first flat portions of the steel slats may have similar,or the same, transverse widths, and all pairs of neighboring steel slatsmay have similar, or the same, separations between them. Further, thetransverse widths and the separations may be configured such that abullet following a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangementfirst hits a first flat portion of a steel slat prior to hitting anyother part or portion of the slat arrangement. Alternatively, thetransverse widths and the separations may be configured such that abullet following a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangementfirst hits a first flat portion or a second flat portion of a steel slatprior to hitting any other part or portion of the slat arrangement.

Each steel slat may have a first side edge at its first end andstretching between the front edge and the back edge, wherein the firstside edge, or a portion of the side edge, is curved, slanted, ornon-perpendicular, with respect to the front edge. Each steel slat mayfurther have a second side edge at its second end and stretching betweenthe front edge and the back edge, wherein the second edge is configuredto conform to or match another edge similar to the first edge of thesteel slat. This allows aligned steel slats to be placed with touchingedges and also reduces the risk of a bullet forcing the steel slatsapart. Also, if a gap appears between the aligned steel slats, the riskof a bullet passing through the gap is reduced.

The separation between neighboring steel slats may be in one or more ofthe ranges 35 to 65 mm, 40 to 60 mm, or 45 to 55 mm, or in one or moreof the ranges, 35 to 40 mm, 40 to 45 mm, 45 to 50 mm, 50 to 55 mm, 55 to60 mm, 60 to 65 mm. The transverse width of the first flat portions maybe in one or more of the ranges 80 to 120 mm, 90 to 110 mm, or 95 to 105mm, or in one or more of the ranges 80 to 90 mm, 90 to 100 mm, 100 to110 mm, or 110 to 120 mm.

The first angle may be in one or more of the ranges 62° to 68°, 63° to67°, 64° to 66°, 63° to 64°, 64° to 65°, 65° to 66°, or 66° to 67°. Thesecond angle may be in one or more of the ranges 20° to 26°, 21° to 25°,22° to 24°, 21° to 22°, 22° to 23°, 23° to 24°, or 24° to 25°.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a bullet trap isprovided. The bullet trap comprises: a slat arrangement according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, wherein the slat arrangement isoriented for directing a bullet having a horizontal trajectory in adownward direction. Thus, the bullet trap may have all the features andprovide all the effects described above in relation to the slatarrangement according to the first aspect.

The bullet trap may further comprise: a second steel plate positionedbelow the slat arrangement for stopping or changing direction of abullet or fragments from a bullet subsequent to the bullet passing, orhitting and passing, the slat arrangement. This has the effect that thebullets or bullet fragments reach full stop vertically within a tightconfinement, thus contributing to a more compact bullet trap.Additionally, the scrap material from the bullets will be collectedwithout capture in another material, thus allowing for easy removal.

The second steel plate may have a first planar portion. The plane of thefirst planar portion plate may be aligned with the normal of the slatarrangement, or the first planar portion may define a normal transverseto, or perpendicular to the normal of the slat arrangement.Alternatively, the first planar portion may be inclined with respect tothe normal of the slat arrangement, or define a normal at a third anglerelative to the normal of the slat arrangement.

The bullet trap may further comprise: a third steel plate positionedbelow the slat arrangement for stopping or changing direction of abullet or fragments from a bullet subsequent to the bullet hitting thesecond steel plate.

The third steel plate may have a second planar portion. The plane of thesecond planar portion plate may be transverse to the normal of the slatarrangement, or the second planar portion may define a normal along, orparallel with the normal of the slat arrangement. Alternatively, thesecond planar portion may be inclined with respect to the normal of theslat arrangement, or define a normal at a fourth angle relative to thenormal of the slat arrangement. The bullet trap may further comprise aplate support for supporting the third steel plate. The third steelplate may be pivotally connected to the plate support for allowing it toswing if hit by a bullet or bullet fragment coming from the direction ofthe second steel plate. This allows for energy to dissipate withoutstraining the construction, thus allowing for a longer lifetime. Thethird steel plate may be removably connected to the plate support, thusallowing for easier access to and maintenance of the parts of the bullettrap that are behind the third steel plate.

The plate support may comprise a proximal portion attached to the flatsteel bar of the slat arrangement and a distal portion connecting to thethird steel plate at an upper portion of the third steel plate. Thethird steel plate may hang on the distal portion. The third steel platemay be planar and/or have a rectangular shape. The third steel plate maybe positioned in front of the slat arrangement. Alternatively oradditionally, the third steel plate may be on the same elevation as thesecond steel plate. These features allow for a compact construction.

The bullet trap may further comprise: a conveyor system located belowthe slat arrangement for removing bullets or fragments of bullets fromthe bullet trap subsequent to the bullets or bullet fragments beingstopped by the second steel plate or the third steel plate. This has theeffect that maintenance of the bullet trap is reduced. The conveyorsystem may comprise a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt isoriented with the conveyor belt running in a direction parallel to theelongated steel slats. This allows for a compact bullet trap that can beinstalled were floor area is limited. The conveyor belt comprises ametal surface for carrying the bullets or bullet fragments. Conveyorbelts are commonly made of rubber. Bullet fragments reaching theconveyor belt are hot and may damage the rubber, thus limiting itslifetime. The metal surface makes the conveyor resilient to heat andreplacements or repairs are avoided, thus reducing the requiredmaintenance.

The conveyor belt may be positioned at the second steel plate and/orthird steel plate. The second steel plate and/or the third steel platemay be inclined towards the conveyor belt for allowing bullets or bulletfragments to fall off onto the conveyor belt. This has the advantage ofa compact construction. The conveyor system may comprise a frame forsupporting the conveyor belt, and the second steel plate and/or thirdsteel plate may be configured to shield the frame from bullets andbullet fragments subsequent to the bullets hitting the slat arrangement.

The third steel plate may be positioned above the conveyor belt. Thishas the effect that bullets and bullets fragments are more likely to endup on the conveyor belt.

The bullet trap may further comprise: a wall connector for connectingthe bullet trap to a wall behind the bullet trap and for supporting thebullet trap in a horizontal direction. The wall connector comprises aportion of a vibration absorbing material for preventing vibrationscaused by bullets hitting the slat arrangement from being conveyed tothe wall via the wall connector.

The bullet trap may further comprise: a floor connector for connectingthe bullet trap to a floor below the bullet trap and for supporting thebullet trap in a vertical direction. The floor connector may comprise aportion of a vibration absorbing material for preventing vibrationscaused by bullets hitting the slat arrangement from being conveyed tothe floor via the floor connector. The vibration absorbing material maybe a cellular elastomer. The elastomer may be polyurethane. It has beenshown that this setup will significantly reduce the spread of noise in aconcrete building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the abovementioned and other featuresand advantages of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunctionwith the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are a front view and a side view of a slatarrangement,

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c are a front view, side view, and a top view,respectively, of a steel slat,

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are side views of a steel bar and steel slatsillustrating the mounting of the steel slats,

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c are a side view, a front view, and a perspectiveview of a section of a bullet trap,

FIG. 5 is a front view two assembled sections of a bullet trap,

FIG. 6 a is a side view of a bullet trap with a conveyor system,

FIG. 6 b is a side view of another bullet trap with a conveyor system,

FIG. 6 c is a perspective view of the third steel plate described inrelation to FIG. 6 b , and

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are a front view and a side view of an alternativeembodiment of a slat arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a slat arrangement 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1b . The slat arrangement 10 has a number of steel slats 12 manufacturedfrom 8 mm steel plates. This thickness is suitable for rifle ammunition,such as 7.62/10B. In other embodiments, the steel slats 12 aremanufactured from 6.5 mm steel plates, which are suitable for pistolammunition and lighter rifle ammunition, such as 9×19 39B and 5.56 5B.The steel slats 12 are positioned in a louver-like fashion, which meansthat they are parallel and slanted with respect to the normal 18 of theslat arrangement 10. The normal 18 is indicated by a dashed line in FIG.1 b , i.e. corresponding to a direction from right to left, or viceversa.

The separation between the front edges 14 is equal to the separationbetween the back edges 16 of neighboring steel slats 10. Also, as isshown in FIG. 1 b , all pairs of neighboring steel slats have the sameseparations between them.

The front edges 14 of the steel slats 12 are parallel and define acommon plane, i.e. they are coplanar, as is evident from in FIG. 1 b .The normal 18 of the slat arrangement corresponds to the normal 18 ofthe common plane. A bullet fired straight at front of the slatarrangement has a direction or trajectory that is parallel to the normal18.

The louver-like position of the steel slats 12 causes a bullet thatfollows a trajectory parallel to the normal 18 to change direction. Inthe orientation of the steels slats in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , the newdirection of the bullet will have a downward component subsequent tohitting a steel slat 12, as is illustrated by the dotted line 20.

The slat arrangement 10 also has a support structure in the form of aleft, or first, flat steel bar 22 and a right, or second, flat steel bar24. The steel bars are identical in shape. Each steel bar has a left, orfirst, side surface 26 and a right, or second, side surface 28 that areparallel to the normal 18 of the slat arrangement 10. This means thatthe profile of the steel bars 22 and 24 is minimized with respect to ashooter firing along the normal 18, and the risk of ricochets isreduced.

Each steel bar 22 and 24 connect to each steel slat 12 at the back edge16 of the steel slat 12 and between the left end 30 and the right end 32of the steel slat 12, thus supporting the steel slat 12. Thisconstruction has the effect that the risk of hitting the steel bars 22and 24, i.e. the support structure, is reduced. Further, the left end 30of a steel slat 12 is free to contact the right end of a steel slat of aneighboring slat arrangement without any frame between them. The rightend 32 of a steel slat 12 is similarly able to contact the left end of asteel slat of another neighboring slat arrangement.

The steel slats 12 extend from the steel bars 22 and 24 in the generaldirection from which bullets will come. Thus, a bullet having atrajectory along the normal 18 of the slat arrangement 10 passes betweenthe front edges 14 of a pair of neighboring steel slats 12 before it canreach the steel bars 22 and 24, i.e. the support structure.

A portion of the right steel bar 24 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 band indicated by the dashed lines. The right steel bar has a first frontedge 34 with a number of cut-outs 36 from the left side surface 22 tothe right side surface 24, as is illustrated in FIG. 3 a . Each cut-out36 has an opening 38 in the first front edge 34.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c are a front view, side view, and a top view,respectively, of a steel slat 12 as described in relation to FIGS. 1 a,1 b, 3 a, and 3 b . The steel slat 12 is folded lengthwise and the fold40 goes from the left end 30 to the right end 32 of the steel slat 12.

The steel slat 12 has a first side edge 31 at its first end 30 with aportion that is slanted, i.e. at a non-perpendicular angle, with respectto the front edge 14. The steel slat 12 further has a second side edge33 at its second end 32 that is also slanted with respect to the frontedge 14. The second side edge 33 is formed so that it would conform tothe first side edge 31, should these two edges meet.

The steel slat 12 has an elongated first flat portion 42 located at itsfront edge 14 and stretching between its left end 30 and its right end32. The first flat portion 42 is slanted with respect to the normal 18of the slat arrangement 10, as is shown in FIG. 1 b . The first flatportion 42 defines a normal 46 at a first angle relative to the normal18 of the slat arrangement. The first angle is about 65°.

The steel slat 12 further has an elongated second flat portion 44located at its back edge 16 and stretching between its left end 30 andits right end 32. The second flat portion 44 is slanted with respect tothe first flat portion 42 and defines a normal 48 at a second anglerelative to the normal 46 of the first flat portion 42. The second angleis about 23°. The first flat portion 42 and the second flat portion 44are connected along the fold 40 of the steel slat 12.

The second flat portion 44 of each steel slat 12 is inserted in acut-out 36 of the steel bar 24, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 bby inserting the second flat portion 44 through the opening 38 of thecut-out 36. This way, the cut-out 36 encloses a portion of a steel slat12 located at its back edge 16 and the steel slat is connected to thesteel bar 24.

Each cut-out 36 is be formed with a leaf-spring 50 that biases a portionof the steel slat 12 and maintains the position of the steel slat 12with respect to the steel bar 24.

The separation between neighboring steel slats 12 is 40 mm. This issuitable for rifle ammunition, such as 7.62/10B. In other embodimentsthe separation is 50 mm, which is suitable for lighter rifle ammunition,such as 5.56 5B, or 40 mm, which is suitable for pistol ammunition, suchas 9×19 39B.

The transverse width of the first flat portion 42 of each steel slat 12is 102 mm. In FIG. 2 c , the transverse width is at a right angle to thefold 40. The transverse widths and the separations between the steelslats are such that that a bullet following a trajectory along thenormal 18 of the slat arrangement 12 first hits a first flat portion 46of a steel slat 12 prior to hitting any other part or portion of theslat arrangement 10.

The slat arrangement 10 also has a first or back steel plate 52, asshown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b . The back steel plate 52 is transverse tothe normal 18 of the slat arrangement 10. The back steel plate 52 isplanar, which means that it defines a normal 54 parallel or aligned withthe normal 18 of the slat arrangement 10. As is indicated by thetrajectory 20 in FIG. 1 b , bullet or bullet fragments will hit the backsteel plate 52 after the bullet has hit a steel slat 12, which meansthat the back steel plate is configured for changing the direction ofthe bullet or bullet fragments.

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c are a side view, a front view, and a perspectiveview of a section of a bullet trap 8. The bullet trap 8 has a slatarrangement 10 similar to the one described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3. However, the steel slats are not shown for the sake of clarity.Features having the same or similar functions as in FIGS. 1 to 3 havebeen given the same number indexing, but with a prime.

Each section 58 of the bullet trap 8 is composed of a housing 60 havinga top portion 62, bottom portion 64, and a back portion 66. The backportion 66 also has the function of a back steel plate 52′, as describedin relation to FIGS. 1 a to 1 c.

FIG. 5 illustrates two sections 58 positioned side by side and joined bya steel strip 68 connecting the back steel plates 52′ of respectivesection 58. The left steel bar 22′ and the right steel bar 24′of theslat arrangement are indicated in in FIG. 5 . This means that the steelstrip 68 is positioned at the middle of a steel slat supported by theleft steel bar 22′ and the right steel bar 24′. The steel slats of thebullet trap 8 are the same as those described in relation to FIGS. 1 to3 .

The bullet trap 8 also has a second steel plate 70 positioned behind andbelow the steel bars 22′ and 24′, i.e. below the slat arrangement, andforms part the bottom portion 64. The second steel plate 70 stops orredirects a bullet or fragments from a bullet after to the bullet haspassed the slat arrangement.

The bullet trap 8 has a wall connector 96 that connects to a wall behindbullet trap 8. The wall connector 96 has a portion 98 of a vibrationabsorbing material that prevents vibrations caused by bullets hittingthe slat arrangement from being conveyed to the wall via the wallconnector 96. The bullet trap also has a floor connector 100 thatconnects the bullet trap 8 to a floor below the bullet trap 8. The floorconnector 100 also has a portion 102 of the vibration absorbing materialfor preventing vibrations caused by bullets hitting the slat arrangementfrom being conveyed to the floor via the floor connector. Theabovementioned vibration absorbing material is a cellular polyurethane.

A side view of the lower parts of an alternative embodiment of a bullettrap 8′ is shown in FIG. 6 a . Features having similar or identicalfunctions as those of the bullet trap described in relation to FIGS. 1to 4 have been given the same number indexing, but with an additionalprime. The second steel plate 70′ has a first planar portion 72. Thefirst planar portion 72 is aligned with the normal 18′ of the slatarrangement 10′, as is shown in FIG. 7 . This means that the firstplanar portion 72 defines a normal 74 transverse to, or perpendicular tothe normal 18′of the slat arrangement 10′. The second steel plate 70′also has an additional first planar portion 76. The additional firstplanar portion 76 is inclined with respect to the normal 18′ of the slatarrangement 10′ and defines a normal 78 at a third angle of relative tothe normal 18′ of the slat arrangement 10′. The third angle is about60°.

The bullet trap also has third steel plate 80′ positioned below the slatarrangement 10 and in front of the second steel plate 70′. The thirdsteel plate 80′ stops or changes the direction of a bullet or fragmentsfrom a bullet subsequent to hitting the second steel plate 70′. Thethird steel plate 80′ has a second planar portion 82 that is transverseto the normal 18′ of the slat arrangement 10′. This portion effectivelystops all bullets or bullet fragments coming from the second steel plate70′. This means that the second planar portion 82 defines a normal 84aligned with, or parallel with, the normal 18′ of the slat arrangement10′. The third steel plate 80′ also has an additional second planarportion 86. The additional second planar portion 86 is inclined withrespect to the normal 18′ of the slat arrangement 10′ and defines anormal 88 at a fourth angle of relative to the normal 18′ of the slatarrangement 10′. The fourth angle is about 45°.

The bullet trap 8′ has a conveyor system 90 located below the slatarrangement 10′. The conveyor system 90 has a conveyor belt 92 supportedby a frame 94 and is oriented to run in a direction parallel to thesteel slats 12′. The conveyor belt 92 is composed of metal links, thushaving a metal surface that can carry bullets or bullet fragments. Thesecond steel plate 70′ and the third steel plate 80′ shield the frame 94from bullets and bullet after they have passed the slat arrangement 10′.

A side view of the lower parts of another embodiment of a bullet trap 8′is shown in FIG. 6 b . Features having identical functions as those ofthe bullet trap described in relation to FIG. 6 a have been given thesame number indexing, and features having a related function have beengiven the same number indexing, but with an added prime.

The bullet trap has a planar third steel plate 80″ positioned below theslat arrangement 10′ and in front of the second steel plate 70′. Thethird steel plate 80″ stops a bullet or fragments from a bulletsubsequent to hitting the second steel plate 70′.

The third steel plate 80″, which is further shown in FIG. 6 c , isrectangular and defines a second planar portion 82′. A rectangularthrough-going hole 83 is located at each of the ends and on the upperside of the third steel plate 80″.

The bullet trap 8′ has a plate support 85 in the form of an elongatedsteel plate. The plate support 85 is coplanar with the right flat steelbar 24′ and has a proximal portion 87 that is welded to the bottom edgeof the right flat steel bar 24′. The plate support 85 also has a distalportion 89 that is connected to the proximal portion 87 and that isinserted in one of the through-going holes 83. This way, the platesupport 85 supports one end of the third steel plate 80″.

The height of the proximal portion 87 is greater than the height of thethrough-going hole 83, thus preventing the third steel plate 80″ frommoving towards the slat arrangement 10′. The distal portion 89 has anupward extending protrusion that prevents the third steel plate 80″ fromfalling off the plate support 85. The distal portion 89 is of sufficientlength for two similar steel plates to be placed thereon. The distalportion 89, and thus also the third steel plate 80″, are positionedabove the conveyor belt 92 of the conveyor system 90.

Another plate support (not shown), similar to the one shown in FIG. 6 b, is attached to a left flat steel bar (not shown) and engages the otherthrough-going hole 83, thus supporting the other end of the third steelplate 80″ in a corresponding manner as described above.

The height of the through-going hole 83 is greater than the height ofthe distal portion 89, thus allowing the third steel plate 80″ to hangfreely on the plate support 85 and swing back and forth when hit by abullet or bullet fragments coming from the second steel plate 70′. Whenat rest, the third steel plate 80″, or the second planar portion 82′,are transverse to the normal 18′ of the slat arrangement 10′. This meansthat the second planar portion 82′ defines a normal 84′ aligned with, orparallel with, the normal 18′ of the slat arrangement 10′.

The third steel plate 80″ can be lifted off the plate support 85, thusallowing for an easy maintenance of the conveyor system 90 and the partof the bullet trap 8′ located behind the third steel plate 80″.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate a front view and a side view of analternative embodiment of a slat arrangement 10′. Features in commonwith the embodiment described in relation to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b have thesame number index, but with a prime. The embodiment of FIGS. 7 a and 7 bdiffers in that the spacing between the slats 12′ is greater so that abullet with a trajectory along the normal 18′ also can hit the secondflat portion 44′ directly.

ITEM LIST

-   8 bullet trap-   10 slat arrangement-   12 steel slats-   14 front edge-   16 back edge-   18 normal of slat arrangement-   20 bullet trajectory-   22 left flat steel bar-   24 right flat steel bar-   26 left side surface-   28 right side surface-   30 left end of steel slat-   32 right end of steel slat-   34 front edge of steel bar-   36 cut-out-   38 opening-   40 fold-   42 first flat portion-   44 second flat portion-   46 normal of first flat portion-   48 normal of second flat portion-   50 leaf-spring-   52 back steel plate-   54 normal of back steel plate-   58 section of bullet trap-   60 housing-   62 top portion-   64 bottom portion-   66 back portion-   68 steel strip-   70 second steel plate-   72 first planar portion-   74 normal of first planar portion-   76 additional first planar portion-   78 normal of additional first planar portion-   80 third steel plate-   82 second planar portion-   83 through-going hole-   84 normal of second planar portion-   85 plate support-   86 additional second planar portion-   87 proximal portion-   88 normal of additional second planar portion-   89 distal portion-   90 conveyor system-   92 conveyor belt-   94 frame-   96 wall connector-   98 portion of a vibration absorbing material-   100 floor connector-   102 portion of a vibration absorbing material

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A slat arrangement for changing the direction of abullet, the slat arrangement comprising: a plurality of elongated steelslats, wherein each elongated steel slat has a longitudinal front edgeand a longitudinal back edge extending between a first end and a secondend; and a support structure supporting the plurality of steel slats;wherein the steel slats are positioned in a louver-like fashionconfigured so as to be capable of changing the direction of a bulletfollowing a trajectory normal to the slat arrangement; wherein thesupport structure is connected to each steel slat at the back edge ofthe steel slat and between the first end and the second end of the steelslat; wherein the support structure comprises an elongated steel barthat has a first front edge and that comprises a plurality of cut-outs,and each cut-out having an opening at the first front edge and enclosesa portion of a steel slat located at the back edge of the steel slat;and wherein the steel slats are arranged so that a bullet following atrajectory along the normal of the slat arrangement must hit a steelslat prior to hitting the steel bar.
 22. The slat arrangement accordingto claim 21, wherein the steel bar has an elongated flat first sidesurface and an elongated flat second side surface, the first sidesurface and the second side surface being parallel, wherein the flatsteel bar is positioned with the first side surface and the second sidesurface parallel to the normal of the slat arrangement, and wherein thecut-outs are from the first side surface to the second side surface. 23.The slat arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the steel bar isflat and formed from a single piece of flat sheet metal.
 24. The slatarrangement according to claim 21, wherein each steel slat has across-section having a configuration that is selected from the groupconsisting of bent, curved, and folded.
 25. The slat arrangementaccording to claim 21, wherein each steel slat has an elongated firstflat portion located at its front edge and extending between the firstend of the slat and the second end of the slat, and wherein the firstflat portion is slanted with respect to the normal of the slatarrangement; and wherein each steel slat further has an elongated secondflat portion located at its back edge and extending between the firstend of the slat and the second end of the slat, and wherein the secondflat portion is slanted with respect to the first flat portion.
 26. Theslat arrangement according to claim 25, wherein steel bar connects tothe second flat portion of each steel slat.
 27. The slat arrangementaccording to claim 25, wherein the steel slats are arranged such that abullet following a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangementfirst hits a first flat portion of a steel slat prior to hitting anyother part or portion of the slat arrangement.
 28. The slat arrangementaccording to claim 27, wherein the elongated first flat portions of thesteel slats have the same transverse widths.
 29. The slat arrangementaccording to claim 28, wherein all pairs of neighboring steel slats havethe same separation between them.
 30. A bullet trap comprising a slatarrangement, wherein the slat arrangement comprises: a plurality ofelongated steel slats, wherein each elongated steel slat has alongitudinal front edge and a longitudinal back edge extending between afirst end and a second end; and a support structure supporting theplurality of steel slats; wherein the steel slats are positioned in alouver-like fashion configured so as to be capable of changing thedirection of a bullet following a trajectory normal to the slatarrangement; wherein the support structure is connected to each steelslat at the back edge of the steel slat and between the first end andthe second end of the steel slat; wherein the support structurecomprises an elongated steel bar, the steel bar having a first frontedge and comprises a plurality of cut-outs, wherein each cut-out has anopening at the first front edge and encloses a portion of a steel slatlocated at the back edge of the steel slat; and wherein the steel slatsare arranged so that a bullet following a trajectory along the normal ofthe slat arrangement must hit a steel slat prior to hitting the steelbar.
 31. The bullet trap according to claim 30, wherein the bullet trapfurther comprises a conveyor system located below the slat arrangementarranged to remove bullets or fragments of bullets from the bullet trap.32. The bullet trap according to claim 31, wherein the conveyor systemcomprises a conveyor belt oriented so as to run in a direction parallelto the elongated steel slats.
 33. The bullet trap according to claim 30,wherein the slat arrangement further comprises a first steel platepositioned behind the steel slats and arranged to change the directionof the bullet or bullet fragments subsequent to the bullet hitting asteel slat.
 34. The bullet trap according to claim 33, wherein the firststeel plate is transverse to the normal of the slat arrangement.
 35. Thebullet trap according to claim 33, wherein the bullet trap furthercomprises a second steel plate positioned below the slat arrangement forstopping or changing direction of a bullet or fragments from a bulletsubsequent to the bullet passing the slat arrangement.
 36. The bullettrap according to claim 35, wherein the second steel plate has a firstplanar portion inclined with respect to the normal of the slatarrangement.
 37. The bullet trap according to claim 35, wherein theconveyor system is arranged for removing bullets or fragments of bulletsfrom the bullet trap subsequent to the bullets or bullet fragments beingstopped by the second steel plate.
 38. The bullet trap according toclaim 35, wherein the conveyor system comprises a frame supporting theconveyor belt, and wherein the second steel plate is arranged to shieldthe frame from bullets and bullet fragments subsequent to the bulletshitting the slat arrangement.